Becoming a Porter of Santa Rosa-The Trials

Palazzo Mazzatosta, on the way to the trials 

exclusive interview  with the President  of the Facchini 

Viterbo’s spectacular  festival dedicated to Santa Rosa which has taken place on September  3^rd  for  over  750 years starts here,  in a former  church dedicated to peace, just  before  Viterbo’s families  go off  to the  beach on  holiday. 

 During  my  35 years in Rome I had never  heard of the festival, but  upon taking up residence  in the province of Viterbo, I quickly learned that it is the most important  happening of the year, around which the Viterbese  arrange their vacations and family life. 

Massimo Mecarini &  the  cast iron  box which is  padded for "comfort"  

Each one of the 100 men who make up the Sodalizio dei  Facchini (porters) must undertake the annual  trial known as  the prova di portata    on these  hot  afternoons at the end of June.

closeup of the  cast iron   chest  

 One by one they must  carry  this  150 kg. weight for 90 metres, or  three times around   the Sala Prova, under the watchful eyes of their colleagues  and beneath the frescoed  ceiling of the former church.   

frecoed ceiling  S. M. della Pace 

You can  watch the video  of the prova on the official website of the Sodalizio dei Facchini. This year  a TV  crew  will be on hand to film the prova di portata .

padded  and numbered neck braces

The  young, aspirant  porters  are also put "on trial "  and only the fittest, who must be between 18  to 34,   are accepted. 

They will become  the new heroes  of  the city, adulated  by the crowds on the night of September  3^rd .  

For more  on the Santa Rosa Festival and the Porters, see  this post.

family and girlfriends will watch the prova di portata 

Here is my translation of Lorena Paris' poem in honor of the Facchini. 

The Porters of Santa Rosa

Identical  smiles mirrored in the faces

of the white river

between amphitheatres of crowds

always  astonished

and there the statue  swaying

above the roof tops

cuts  the blue

 of a holy and profane night.

Then the pavement runs quickly

With the  breath of the eyes glazed by pride

in the devoted steps and the rhythm of faith

in the strong arms of adoration

under that  yoke of tradition. 

Don't wait  35 years like I did-put this traditional festival on your  list of things to see in Italy.   

There is very little in English about Viterbo and  its festivals, but you can find ideas for accomodations and itineraries on  my website and of course, in my books about the area.  
After  12 years, a newly designed website   is now  in the works, stay tuned!